| Traditional Classroom |
Montessori Environment |
| Textbook, pencil and paper, worksheets and dittos |
Prepared kinesthetic materials with incorporated control of error, specially developed reference materials |
| Working and learning without emphasis on social development |
Working and learning matched to social development of the child |
| Narrow, unit-driven curriculum |
Unified, internationally develop curriculum |
| Individual subjects |
Integrated subjects and learning based on developmental psychology |
| Block time, period lessons |
Uninterrupted work cycles |
| Single-graded classrooms |
Multi-age classrooms |
| Students passive, quiet, in desks |
Students active, talking, with periods of spontaneous quiet, freedom to move |
| Students fit mold of school |
School meets needs of students |
| Students leave for special help |
Special help comes to students |
| Product-focused report cards |
Process-focused assessment, skills, checklists, mastery benchmarks |
